1986 Honda XBR 500, 498 cc. Registration number C773 ALJ. Fr...

Hammer

£1,500

1986 Honda XBR 500, 498 cc. Registration number C773 ALJ. Frame number PC15 710092. Engine number PC15 710092.
The XBR 500 was launched by Honda in 1985 in response to the Yamaha SR500. It is powered by a single-cylinder four-valve engine with the valves arranged radially (the Radial Four Valve Combustion Chamber, or RFVC). Displacing 498 cc and producing 44 hp, the engine, which originated from the Honda XR series off-road models, features a dry-sump, the oil being stored in a separate oil tank below the seat. The steel-braided hoses connecting the oil tank to the engine (clearly visible at the right-hand side of the motorcycle) became a strong visual element.
The two exhaust valves enabled the motorcycle to be fitted with two separate silencers. The motorcycle had both an electric start and a kick start which linked to an automatic decompression valve to reduce compression during engine start up. The fuel-efficient engine combined with the large fuel tank capacity provided the bike with a long range between refuelling.
The early XBR500 was fitted with Comstar wheels and tubeless tyres. Later models were provided with spoked wheels and tubed tyres. A removable seat cover was also fitted in order to simulate a cafe-racer look. Honda subsequently released a café racer version of the XBR500, the Honda GB500 TT.
ALJ was first registered on the 1st May 1986 and by December 1986 it was with our vendors brother, he sold it to him in May 1993 to replace an Ariel Huntmaster that he had restored and sold on. Used occasionally it was last used on the road in 2007 although three years ago a new battery was put on it and it started with ease. The current mileage of 17,216 is presumed to be correct.
Sold with the V5C and two keys.